Had ten days last month for wonderful things
to all bring a joy and pull at heartstrings
Places to visit and things to see there
taking photos to later re-live and re-share
Ten days of staycation what more could I need
when living in Sussex for this life that I lead?
As Sussex has all the 'joie de vivre' I desire
with its people and places and things I admire
So whenever a moment affords this release
I'm happy in Sussex as at home I find peace
At Stopham Bridge, late summer
with cool waters down below
as the Arun slowly trickles
on a turning tide quite slow
Sitting on the decking of the
White Hart across the way
this view is quite breathtaking
on this peaceful summer day
Tranquil here the setting
this place amongst the best
of my favourites in Sussex
where I'll always come to rest
In my garden at nightfall
when the sun has just set
and the heat of the day still remains
I find solace and respite
as on my bench with repose
I appreciate all of life's gains
For here is a moment
which is all of my own
precious like treasure, replete
and as the light of the day
is enveloped by night
congenital here, I'm complete
3 of 12 in the Jemverse summer 22 series ‘Melting Days’
At the eve of this day
I will dip my toes in cooling waters
and there will be the lap of an ebbing tide
and the taste of salt on my lips
and there I will find peace
Memorial for eleven who passed that fateful day
looking to the airport where, across the Adur way
the plane that fell out of the sky seven years now past
took off but never landed save by that fiery blast
Yet now on this east river bank eleven arches stand
and catch the rays of setting suns for those eleven and
serve as fitting testament in Shoreham here so we
do not forget their passing as this sculpture here we see
Photo – the memorial on the east bank of the River Adur in Shoreham. Commemorating the passing of the 11 men who lost their lives on 22 August 2015 when a Hawker Hunter 17 failed to complete a loop as a part of the RAFA Air Show and crashed on the A27 by-pass north of the airport. Created by David Parfitt and Jane Fordham, the sculpture comprises 11 arches, each one personalised in consultation with relatives of the victims.
I waved a long shadow
by a favourite tree
in a favourite field
where I love to be
the sunshine was bright
but with rain in the air
though sadly no rainbow
was evident there
But as usual the joy
of the wander we had
in Seven Tree Field
just made our hearts glad
and our little dog, Obi
he ran and he ran
with exuberant gait
with which all dogs can
So we all walked back to Charmouth
early morning 'round sunrise
with mist in all the valleys
and a glow atop the rise
Took us about an hour
then we walked right back again
as the sun climbed higher brightly
in the east from whence it came
The splendour nature offered
all around was as a treasure
which all of us admired
good measure for good measure
And with dewdrop diamonds shining
we felt enriched beyond decree
in this really special place
where we wandered peacefully
Before the Dorset sun retired
at the end of a fine day
we went for a small wander
down the lanes around this way
At the crossroads we went straight ahead
as it seemed the thing to do
passed by the Crooch Farm courtyard
'neath a cloudless sky of blue
The rays of golden sunshine
glinted precious through the trees
as down the lanes and twittens
we wandered 'neath the leaves
squeezing into hedgerows
as a seldom car went past
this seemed a quaint existence
most refreshing change to fast
And we smiled a knowing smile
at the peace this place exuded
feeling quite at ease opposed
to anything excluded
Far from it, this was home from home
this Dorset countryside
as slow the sun sank in the West
to match our wandering stride
Conclusion fitting both we thought
as in unison we turned
to retrace our evening footsteps
with a new life lesson learned
For here was pure tranquility
with pace so far removed
from that which we had left behind
yet here with pleasure soothed
Pit patter of rain
on the water down there
almost silent the sound
but lovely to share
and watching it fall
yes every small drop
I am mesmerised here
lest it should now stop
Pit patter of rain
the circles at start
concentric the spread
from the very heart
and watching them fall
to this precious scene
is a magical place
I have so often been
Pit patter of rain
as a summer befalls
with the warmth of the air
as each raindrop calls
is something to cherish
as an antonym here
to something that's good
not something to fear
...all about me and my life in words. I write most days, carrying an ideas book around in which I capture a word snapshot of life around me. So there's a lot here about Sussex and the sea and anything else I see that inspires.
The pictures are mine too. Some taken to match a poem; some poems written to match a pic; others chosen because they work well with words written.
Jemverse is life in words. Hope you enjoy the reading as much as I enjoy the writing...
Jemverse 